Andres Alonso has spent the better part of this legislative session shopping Baltimore City's block grant proposal among lawmakers. The measure would help pay for renovations and the building of new buildings at about $32 million a year in the form of a block grant -- money that would be used to attract investors on the bond market.

"The longer we wait, the greater the cost down the line," Alonso said.

Alonso has lost track of how many times he has been to Annapolis to lobby for the school system block grant proposal. The school system has been using about the same pitch for years, saying it needs more than $1 billion to renovate old building and put up new ones. The city's plan is to use block grant funds to help speed up some of those projects.

"I think that people get it. I think that people understand it. There's an acknowledgment of the need," he said.

Back in his office on North Avenue, Alonso continues to look for new ways to help explain what's at stake.

"The issues are complex. We are asking for a great commitment over time. People, I think, have legitimate questions about how to do this, but there is, I believe, a lot of good faith of how to get the right answers to those questions," he said.

When asked whether he has thought about a plan B, Alonso said, "You know, plan B is always to succeed. We have no excuses. No matter what happens, we have to do what's right for our kids. I believe this is the year."

Alonso said he knows lawmakers will have the final say.

"The outcome is about great buildings for our kids. How we get there is irrelevant. You never give it your best shot until you've given your last shot. So, I think it's not about me and it's not about me giving the best shot. I think this is about a lot of people who believe this needs this needs to be done," Alonso said.

More than 2,000 people plan to march on Annapolis on Monday night in support of that block grant bill.